BRZRKR: All About Keanu Reeves’ New Superhero Movie
Keanu Reeves has a new franchise in BRZRKR, and here is what you need to know.
This article is more than 2 years old
If you didn’t think a new Matrix (number 4) and a new John Wick (also number 4) were enough Keanu Reeves, then are you in for a treat. BRZRKR is coming soon to Netflix and it will star Reeves as the superhero. Here’s what we know.
BOOM! STUDIOS
BRZRKR is a 12-issue limited series comic book published by BOOM! Studios and, believe it or not, is based on an original story idea by Keanu Reeves. He and co-writer Matt Kindt, a New York Times bestseller, put together the comic, whose first part was released in early March.
THE BRZRKR COMIC
BRZRKR, the comic, tells the story of an immortal warrior and his never-ending fight throughout the ages. He is half-mortal, half-god, and is only known as “B”. This warrior is cursed and compelled to violence even if it means a sacrifice to his sanity. His wandering throughout the centuries may have finally found B a refuge, that coming in the form of working for the U.S. government. B has taken up the fight in battles that the U.S. has deemed too dangerous or too violent for anyone else to undertake. For his ability to take on the violence and danger, B is granted the one thing he longs for. The truth about his existence. The truth about who and why he is. The truth about why violence and bloodshed are his way of life. Ultimately, he will find out how to end it.
THE BRZRKR MOVIE
The Netflix adaptation of BRZRKR will star Keanu Reeves as B. Reeves will also serve as the producer as will BOOM! Studios’ Ross Richie and Stephen Christy. BOOM! Studios Adam Yoelin is on board as the executive producer. The studio previously inked a first-look TV deal with Netflix. BOOM! Studios CEO and founder Richie was thrilled to team up with Netflix. “We generate 20+ new original series a year and are thrilled to partner with a company that is as prolific as we are,” Richie said via Variety. “BOOM!’s unique partnership model of controlling the media rights to our library benefits creators by positioning them to be packaged with high-end directors, screenwriters, and producers. We’re thrilled to continue our track record of translating our best-selling award-winning library with the best TV talent in the business but now with the undisputed leader of the new streaming era.”
While there isn’t much information out yet about the Netflix film, the story looks to expand on the immortal warriors 80,000-year fight by exploring different elements within the BRZRKR universe. With Keanu Reeves’ penchant for violent, bloody movies, you can expect BRZRKR to come in, given the comic’s description, with a gratuitously violent R-rating.
THE BRZRKR SERIES
Not only does Keanu Reeves plan on playing B for the Netflix film, but he also plans on playing B for the BRZRKR anime series that will follow the movie. Reeves will voice the character, which again will expand upon what we know (or will know) about the BRZRKR world.
MORE REEVES
Keanu Reeves has been busy as of late. The 56-year-old actor has been a feature film staple since his debut in the 1986 film Youngblood, a year that also saw him in the shocking River’s Edge. Reeve’s big break came in the late ‘80s with Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and based on that performance, it looked as though Reeves was setting himself up as a comedic actor. He followed that up with the movie Parenthood, where he basically played the same character, but then began to expand his roles.
My Private Idaho, a movie in which Keanu Reeves co-starred with the late River Phoenix, had the two best friend characters on their own road of self-discovery. Reeves was praised for his performance. As his career grew, Reeves wasn’t leaning on one genre. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (and his horrible British accent) came along, then Speed, which showed that the actor could handle action movies. Finally, there was The Matrix, which not only confirmed to all that Reeves was a bonafide action star, but it eventually showed that he could be the face of a franchise.
In between The Matrix films, Keanu Reeves continued to explore different avenues of art. On top of his movie career, Reeves played bass for the indie rock group Dogstar, where he teamed up with drummer Robert Mailhouse and lead guitarist/singer Gregg Miller. The band played together for 11 years producing two albums (Our Little Visionary and Happy Ending) before calling it quits.
Keanu Reeves’s talent also lies in the form of print media, as evidenced by BRZRKR. But it isn’t only the comic book that Reeves has penned. He also has two books, Ode to Happiness and Shadows, in which the author has collaborated with artist Alexandra Grant on both.
ACTION FILM STAR
Keanu Reeves made his action film name with Speed. As Neo in The Matrix, he took things to the next level. Of course, there were others. He tried with Johnny Mneumonic and again with Constantine as well as The Day the Earth Stood Still and 47 Ronin, but it was John Wick that once again pushed Reeves’ star into the stratosphere. As the eponymous retired professional hitman, Reeves brought John Wick to life with amazing fortitude. He worked closely on helping to develop the story, one that found Wick having to do Wick things after the tragic death of his wife and eventual kidnapping of a puppy given to him to cope with his grief. The movie was a massive hit, sparking two more sequels with a third sequel on the way. Reeves will also be hitting the way-back machine with another entry into The Matrix universe.
With Keanu Reeves fully invested in BRZRKR, it is hard to see the film fail. This is his baby from start to finish, his creation. And to have the weight of streaming giant Netflix in his corner, the movie and eventual anime series will certainly be of high caliber. Until they do make their appearances, you can catch BRZRKR stories over at BOOM! Studios. Here is Keanu Reeves telling you all about it.
